Plans to keep London moving during the 2012 Games published

Plans to ensure that London keeps moving during the London 2012 Games and that athletes, officials and the Games Family can get to venues on time have been published.

A new information document details how London’s road network will operate during the Games in 2012.

The aim of the Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network (ORN/PRN) is to help people who are essential to the Games get to the venues, but also to ensure that millions of Londoners are able to go about their business with as little disruption as possible. Two and a half per cent of London’s roads have been designated as part of an ORN/PRN, which will be roadwork free and subject to measures such as traffic signal timing changes. Most roads on the ORN will remain fully open for general traffic.

Ahead of further consultation, the document also sets out the location and extent of temporary ‘Games Lanes’. Recent Games including Beijing, Athens and Sydney have all used a system of temporary Games Lanes. They will only operate on the busiest parts of the ORN and under one per cent of London’s roads will have a Games Lane.

The ORN/PRN will ensure that athletes get to their events on time along with the judges, referees and other officials who are needed for the Games. Users of the ORN are:

18,000 athletes and team officials during the Olympic Games (6,000 during the Paralympic Games)

5,000 technical officials including judges, referees and umpires

6,000 Olympic officials from the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and International Sports Federations

20,000 broadcast media and 8,000 journalists and photographers from across the world

25,000 marketing partners whose funding and support is essential to the running of the Games

The total number using the ORN during the Games is 82,000.

There has already been extensive consultation on the ORN/PRN following the designation of the route and there will be further opportunities for those affected to have their say when local consultation continues later this year. The total core and venue specific ORN is 168km in London and 276km outside of London. The total lane length of the temporary Games Lanes is 97km (based on both directions).

Other measures on the ORN apart from lanes will include side road closures, banned turns, changes to traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, adjustments to bus and coach stops and the temporary suspension of bus stops.

London 2012 is aiming for all spectators to travel to the Games via public transport with billions of pounds of investment being made into upgrading London’s transport system to achieve this, leaving a lasting legacy of transport improvements for the capital.

The ODA will start consulting on the detailed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) that are required to support the measures on the ORN later in the year.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: 'Thousands of visitors from around the world will descend on our great city in 2012 and transport will be critical to ensuring we deliver a Games that London can be proud of. The capital will be in the spotlight and temporary measures such as the Olympic Route Network will play a crucial role. But their contribution must also be weighed against a phenomenal investment in new transport infrastructure.

'Improvements like those happening at Stratford regional station, the doubling in capacity of the Docklands Light Railway, the superb new East London Line and the new Kings Cross ticket hall are already delivering an early legacy of improvements for Londoners.'

Paul Deighton, LOCOG Chief Executive, said: 'Staging the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012 is a huge logistical challenge. It is the equivalent of staging 26 world championships, then after a break, staging another 20. We will need to move thousands of athletes, workers and media around the city to ensure they can do their jobs, plus ensure the city is kept moving for everyone else. Having a clear transport plan is a vital part of staging a Games that the whole country can be proud of.'

Olympic Delivery Authority Chairman John Armitt said: 'We have been working closely with our partners to take our operational planning to the next level and will continue to consult with Londoners on the plans. Where Games Lanes are required there will inevitably be some temporary disruption to everyday life, but we must give athletes the best chance to train and compete effectively. That means ensuring they get to their events on time and minimising the time they spend travelling.'

Hugh Robertson, Sport and Olympics Minister, said: 'Other Host Cities have learnt the hard way the importance of having a well organised and efficient transport system when hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games. Make no mistake – this is absolutely critical to a successful Games, and, without it, we will not be able to move around athletes, officials and the media with the necessary degree of certainty.

'These plans strike an appropriate balance between the demands of hosting this unique event and the day-to-day needs of residents and businesses. The considerable improvements to transport in London and other Host Cities to support the ORN will have long-term benefits for locals after the Games.'

Transport Minister Theresa Villiers MP said: 'Good transport is essential to a successful Olympics. We are delivering major transport improvements to help deal with the extra pressure on the capital’s transport network that the event will involve. These improvements will be part of the lasting legacy the Games will leave for Londoners.

'Plans for the Olympic Route Network are an important part of ensuring the Games are a success. Experience in other Host Cities clearly shows how vital this network is for enabling the world’s greatest athletes to get where they need to be. There’s no doubt that the Olympics will have a impact on many of the daily journeys made by Londoners, but the Government, the Mayor and London 2012 are working hard to ensure we keep the capital moving.'

Peter Hendy, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: 'TfL is on track deliver its transport projects and improvements well ahead of the 2012 Games. Londoners are already benefitting from an early transport legacy, such as the upgrade of the East London Line and extra capacity on the DLR.

'As well as the Games, there will also be a great number of events and festivities happening across London during the summer of 2012. We’re working over that period, and with all our 2012 partners, to ensure Londoners and visitors enjoy all this great city will have to offer, to keep London moving.'

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